Forsberg Takes Avalanche Through a Time Tunnel

[rinkrat]

The question about to be answered is whether the old Forsberg, 34, can turn the Avalanche into the same old Stanley Cup contenders.

On Feb. 25, Colorado was 4 points out of a playoff spot, in 10th place in the Western Conference, when it signed Forsberg to a prorated one-year contract worth $5 million. It was widely viewed as a publicity ploy, a desperate reach by a middling team to resurrect faded cheers.

Because of a chronically sore right ankle — he had surgery on it again last year — Forsberg had not played a game of any kind in 10 ½ months.

“I wish I had played 40 games instead of 9, but that’s just the way it is,” Forsberg said in the locker room Sunday. “On the other hand, I should be pretty rested coming into the playoffs.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/09/sp...in&oref=slogin